Japan’s Parliamentary Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Shuji Kira has hinted that his country will delay taking the issue of the Dokdo islets to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Japanese media say Kira told reporters on Thursday that the Foreign Ministry will start considering whether it is best to take the Dokdo issue to the ICJ and if so, when to take such a step.

His remarks suggest that Japan will decide whether to take the Dokdo matter to the international court in line with South Korea’s movements and thus delay taking action on the matter right away.

Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun reports that a senior Foreign Ministry official said there is no change in the ministry’s position on taking the Dokdo issue to the ICJ. However, he was quick to stress it’s his personal opinion that Japan’s response to South Korea and China over territorial conflicts is different, adding that Japan could consider taking the Dokdo matter to the ICJ if South Korea calls for compromise on the issue.